Vacuum heating system



Oct. 4, 1938. e. w. PARKTON 2,131,901

VACUUM HEATING SYSTEM Filed Aug. 27, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR ATTORN EYS'.

Oct. 4, 1938. G. w. PARKTON VACUUM HEATING SYSTEM Fi led Aug. 27, 1956 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR 550866 W. PARKTON TORI-:5.

" proved means for permittingthe return water level in the boiler; and

" steam or vapor being preferably controlled at the and below the waterlevel in the boiler but it is to reservoir system to a point abovethe water line 1-8 to radiators 9-40 placed above the water return water pipe system or reservoir has dropped yond the thermostatic traps l2 are connected by .45 tween the boiler and the return'line.

. for such low returns and connectrsluch reservoir pressure between the return line l5 and the steam 5O return water level rises to a predetermined point. boiler without the aid of the usual boiler return 55 Patented oct l, 1938 g UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE VACUUM HEATING SYSTEM In George W. Parkton, Dalton, Pa. Application August 27, 1935, Serial No. 38,018 2 Claims. (01. 23'7--6'7) My invention relates to a high vacuum heating Afloat mechanism serves to cut ofi the connecsystem. tion to the vacuum tank and preferably opens an In a vacuum heating system steam or vapor atmospheric connection so that the atmospheric I is generated at a lower temperature thanin' an pressure is sufficient to force the water from the r 5 atmospheric or pressure system. Inthe high vaclow return water tank into the boiler which is-5 uum heating systems with which I am familiar a below atmospheric pressure. I reduced pressure is induced in the return line -In the drawings which show, for illustrative from the radiators and the condensate or return purposes only, a preferred form of the invenwater is usually returned to the boiler by a tioni l0 pump. I propose to eliminate the expense'of a Fig. 1 isa' diagrammatic view of a high vac-- condensate return pump and the expense of opuumheating system and illustrating features of eration and maintenancethereof; the invention;

It is an object of my invention to provide a Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of a float.

high vacuum heating system provided with imreservoir for return water, placed above the water I to feed back to the boiler by gravity. I Fig. 3 is a similar view of a reservoir for re- Briefly stated, in a preferred form of the inturn water from radiators located below the Water vention I employaboiler for generatingsteam levelin the boiler. 7

or vapor andfeedingthe' same to radiators, the Fig. 1 illustrates radiators placed both above 3 radiators'by modulating valves. The radiators be understood that where all radiators are placed are preferably provided with thermostatic traps above the boiler water level some features illusof any usual orpreferred'form for permitting the trated in Fig; 1 may be omitted and, of course, if

flow of condensate to the return lines but preall radiatorswere placed below the boiler water 25 ventingfree'passage of steam'or vapor. ;The relevel certain other features could be omitted, as

turn line is connected to a vacuum pump or vacwill be later explained. uum tank for inducing low pressure in the re- In said drawings 5 indicates a boiler of any turn line in the usual manner." The return water conventional or desired type having a steam or is permitted to collect and build up in .a pipe or vapor'line 6 delivering through branch. pipes in the boiler. An improved float system is arlevel of the boiler, for example, .on the first and ranged so that'when'the return water builds up second floors of a dwelling. The pipes 'l- 8 comto a predetermined level above the water level in municate with the radiators, preferably through the boiler the connection to the vacuum tank or I modulating valves ll, so that the steam or vapor pump is cutoff and the pressure in the return flow may be controlled for each individual ram-" line and indie boiler i's-partially equalized, that ator. Thermostatic traps 12 are preferably conis, equalized tosuch an extent that the collected nected to the radiators so as to permit the free return water may flow by gravity past a check passage of air and return water but prevent the valve and into the boiler. When the level in the passage of steam or vapor. The radiators beto a predetermined levela float, the position of means of branch pipes l3.--l4 with the main rewhioh isrcont o l d by return Waller level, turn line [5, which isconnected to the boiler by again opens the connection to the vacuum tank a pipe 5 in which is a check valve |1 opening and a higher difierential is again established betoward h l The pipe lfi may be provided. with a drain valve [8, if desired.

It will be understood that in a high vacuum heating system (from a perfect vacuum down to say 8 or 10 inches of mercury) the differential In such heating installations as require that radiators be placed so low as to require the return line to be below the water level in the boiler I provide a receiving, reservoir or, pipe system to the Vacuum pump or tank so as to provide the or vapor line 6 is quite considerable and the reusual differential between the boiler and the ref Water would return by grevlty to the turn line in such low'radiators. The return water 1001161} I have P d means, however, or collects in the low return water reservoir and the perm1tting a return of the condensate to the pump heretofore employed with a high vacuum heating system.

In the form illustrated I employ a vacuum pump 20, operated as by means of an electric motor, for exhausting a vacuum tank 2i. The vacuum pump, which is of any desired type, is provided with an adjustable vacuum regulator (not shown) for shutting ofi the pump when the vacuum in the tank has reached the desired degree, for example, a vacuum of about 20 inches of mercury. From the vacuum tank a pipe 22 connects to a float reservoir 23, placed above the water level of the boiler and the return line [5 has a pressure equalizing connection 24 to the same reservoir 23. From the bottom of the reservoir 23 a pipe 25 leads through the return pipe I6 to the boiler.

Thus, when the system is in operation the pressure in the return line I 5 is maintained at a considerably lower limit than the pressure in the boiler 5, though of course the pressure in the boiler 5 may be below atmospheric and the principal requirement is that there be a differential of pressure between the boiler and the return line so as to induce a flow of steam or vapor, as will be understood. The return water from the pipe l5 passes down through pipe 26 but due to the upward bend in pressure connection 24 cannot pass directly into reservoir 23. Water from pipe 26 builds up in pipe 25 which enters the bottom oi reservoir 23, and the level gradually builds up until it reaches about the level of the dot and dash line in Fig. 2. Within the reservoir 23 there is a valve fitting 21, having a valve port 28 communieating with the pipe 22 and the vacum tank 2!. The inlet 29 to the valve fitting opens into the reservoir 23 at a point above the highest water level therein. A valve 36 for controlling the valve passage 28 is slidable in a guide member 3|, connected to the valve fitting or casing, so as to always guide the valve and permit it to open and close the port 28 when raising and lowering. The valve 36 is controlled by a float, which is preferably provided with adjusting means, so as to actuate the valve at desired water levels. In the form shown I provide a bracket 32, surrounding the guide 3! and adjustably held thereon, as by means of a set screw 33. The bracket 32 has an ear 34, which is pivotally connected to the upper end of a link 35. The float lever 36 is pivotally connected to the lower end of the link 35 and at the proper point on the float lever 36 the valve is pivotally connected, as at 31. The float 38 is connected, as shown, at the end of the float lever 36.

For visual inspection the reservoir 23 may be provided with a gage glass 39 and, of course, such other features as drain cocks, etc., may be applied to the reservoir, if desired.

The operation of the device as thus far described is as follows:

The reduced pressure in the return line is maintained by means of the automatically acting vacuum pump and the vapor is drawn through the radiators past the modulating Valves. In mild weather the boiler is also under reduced pressure, that is, the system acts strictly as a vapor system. In very severe weather it may happen that some pressure above atmospheric is generated in the boiler. The return water, as stated, passes through the return line I 5 and builds up in pipes 25-26 and in the reservoir 23. The pipe line 22 to the vacum tank is open, as shown in Fig. 2, until the return water level builds up to about the level of the dot and dash line shown in Fig. 2, at which time the float will be in the dot and dash line position and the valve 36 will close the port 28 and thus prevent further exhausting from the return line to the vacuum tank. The differential between the boiler and return line pressure will then tend to equalize and when such differential has ben reduced to a suflicient extent the head of water in the reservoir above the water level in the boiler will force water from the reservoir down through pipe 25 and past the check valve I! and into the boiler. Thus, the return water is returned to the boiler by gravity. When the water level has been reduced in the reservoir 23 the float 38 will sink and thus cause the valve 30 to again open the port 28 and permit resumption of the normal functions of the vacuum tank until such time as the return Water again builds up in the reservoir 23, at which time the above described action will be repeated. It will be seen that there is an advantage in having such return water as enters the float reservoir flow in from the bottom and not through a pipe such as the equalizing pipe 24. With a heavy flow of condensate entering the reservoir 23 from the top the float action would be adversely affected. With my system the return water for the most part returns to the boiler through pipes 26, I6 and does not actually flow up into the reservoir. The same water to a large extent descends from and rises up into the reservoir. Furthermore, by providing the check valve l1 boiler water is prevented from reaching the float reservoir and the latter is therefore not likely to become contaminated by scale or sediment and the float action will remain accurate.

It is sometimes desirable to have radiators placedat or below the water level in the boiler, for example, as indicated by the radiator 40 in Fig. 1. The radiator 40 is connected by a branch 4| and modulating valve 42 to the steam or vapor line 6 and is provided with a thermostatic trap 43, the same as the other radiators. From the trap the return water feeds by gravity through pipe 44 and past a check valve 45 opening toward the reservoir 46 and into such reservoir. From reservoir 46 a pipe 41 leads to and is connected to the boiler feed pipe I 6. A check valve 48 is located in the pipe 41 and opens toward the boiler. A stop Valve 49 may be provided in the pipe 47.

From the top of the reservoir 46 a line 50 leads to the vacuum tank or some reduced pressure line, as the pipe 22. Stop valve 5! may be interposed in the line 50.

The reservoir 46 is further provided with an atmospheric connection 52. In the form shown I provide a substantial opening in the reservoir 46, which is covered by a plate 53 secured thereto, as by means of bolts (not shown). The plate 50 carries a valve fitting 54, passing through an opening and secured therein by means of a lock nut 55. Passage 5 6 through the fitting is connected as by means of a union to the vacuum pipe 50. The valve fitting opens at 51 into the interior of reservoir 46 above the highest water level therein. A valve 58 is slidably guided in the valve fitting or a guide member connected thereto and serves to control the passage 56 through the valve fitting. A second similar valve fitting 59 is secured in the plate 53, as by means of a nut 60, and the passage 52 thereof opens to the atmosphere, as heretofore noted. A protecting perforated cover cap 6! may surround the atmospheric connection 52, if desired. The valve fitting 59 also opens into the reservoir 46 at 62, that is, above the maximum water level of the reservoir. A valve 63 in all respects similar to the valve 58 controls the passage 52. The two valves are pivotally connected by means of links 64-64 to a rocker 6 5, which is bracket 61 carried by a cover plate 53.

pivotally connected at 66 to a supporting bar or Thus, when the rocker 65 is rocked one of the valves will be closed and the other opened. The valves are I automatically controlled by means of a float and 13 on the rocker 65 is interposed a compression spring, so that the rocker is rocked with a snap action, that is to say, when the float'rises from the full line position of Fig. 3 the compression spring 74 is compressed and when the arm 12 passes slightly beyond the center position the spring serves to snap the rocker 65, so as to close the valve 58 and open the valve 63.

The operation of the parts associated with reservoir 46 is as follows:

The reservoir 46 is placed below the water level in the boiler and the return water from the low placed radiators collects in the reservoir 46 until the levelrises to about the dot and dash line position shown, at which time the float II will have raised and the rocker 65 will be snapped over, so as to close the connection to the vacuum pipe 50 and open the atmospheric connection 52. Withatmospheric pressure in the reservoir 46 the return water from such reservoir will be forced into the boiler which is, of course, below atmospheric pressure.

Thus, whether theradiators be placed above or below the water level of the boiler I provide means for returning the condensate to the boiler without the aid of the usual boiler return pump. If the return water can be collected in the overhead reservoir 23 I prefer to feed the water back to the boiler by gravity and in that case the reservoir 46 and parts associated therewith will be unnecessary. On the other hand, the reservoir 46 could be employed for returning condensate from all radiators and if there should be a case where all radiators are below the boilerwater level the reservoir 23 and parts associated therewith would be unnecessary.

While the invention has been described in a preferred form it is to be understood that various changes, additions or omissions may be made within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a vacuum heating system, a boiler, heat radiators connected thereto, a return Water line connecting said radiators and boiler, a float reservoir located above the normal Water level of said boiler, a single water connection between said return water line and float reservoir and opening into the bottom of said reservoir, a vapor connection between said return water line and the top of said reservoir, vacuum inducing means, a pressure connection from the top of said reservoir to said vacuum inducing means, a float in said reservoir and a valve controlled by said float for closing said pressure connection upon a rise of said float on the water in said reservoir and opening said valve upon a drop of said float in said reservoir, whereby when said pressure connection to said vacuum inducing means is shut off the difierential pressure between the boiler and return water line will be reduced and the return water, may flow by gravity back into said boiler.

2. In a vacuum system, a boiler, heat radiators connected thereto, a' return water line connecting said radiators and said boiler, a check valve in said return water line and opening toward said boiler, a float reservoir above the normal water level of said boiler, a water connection from said return line extending upwardly and into the bottom of said float reservoir, said water connection the top of said float reservoir, a float in said reservoir, a valve controlled thereby for opening and closing said pressure connection upon a fall and rise of said float upon the water in said reservoir, for the purpose described.

GEORGE W. PARKTON. 

